149. ICON “SAINT NICHOLAS THE MIRACLE WORKER” RUSSIA, SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Depicted is Saint Nicholas the Miracle Worker in a half-length composition, holding the Gospel and offering a blessing gesture. The saint is shown wearing episcopal vestments with an omophorion adorned with crosses, emphasizing his rank as a bishop and his status as one of the most venerated saints of the Orthodox Church. In his left hand he holds an open Gospel with a Cyrillic inscription executed in formal uncial script. Flanking the halo, within marginal medallions, are half-length representations of Christ the Savior and the Mother of God, traditionally accompanying the iconography of Saint Nicholas as a sign of his divine election and spiritual patronage. The background is rendered in a rich golden tonality with ornamental punchwork imitation, characteristic of folk icon painting of the second half of the 19th century. The borders are decorated with a vegetal ornamental pattern, painted in tempera with the use of gilding.

Dimensions: Height 30.5 cm; Width 26 cm.

Condition: Fair. There are losses and abrasions to the paint layer, craquelure, traces of use along the borders and background, as well as localized darkening and losses of the gesso ground. The wooden panel on the reverse shows evidence of old fixings and a later household suspension.